On May 6, two of our firm’s clients filed a Petition for Clarification or Declaratory Ruling (view here) seeking guidance from the FCC on the definition of locations under the Alternative Connect America Cost Model (A-CAM) for residences that also serve as businesses. Specifically, the Petition notes that a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document released […]

On May 22, 2019, three of our firm’s clients filed a Petition for Rulemaking (view here) asking that the Federal Communications Commission initiate a proceeding and change its rules to prohibit or discourage the use of USF E-Rate money to overbuild existing fiber networks, especially fiber networks that have been constructed with USF support.  The […]

The deadline to meet the final construction requirement and renew certain Lower 700 MHz licenses (A Block, B Block, and C Block) is Thursday, June 13, 2019. By that date, a Lower 700 MHz A or B Block licensee must have constructed facilities to provide signal coverage and offer service to at least 70 percent of its license […]

FCC Form 395 Due May 31, 2019 Common carrier licensees or permittees with sixteen (16) or more full-time employees must file an annual employment report (FCC Form 395) with the Federal Communications Commission by May 31st of each year. If the filing concerns a licensee that had fewer than sixteen (16) full-time employees during the […]

(Upper 37 GHz, 39 GHz, and 47 GHz) (AU Docket No. 19-59) The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or “Commission”) has released a Public Notice seeking comment on competitive bidding procedures for the incentive auction of Upper Microwave Flexible Use (“UMFUS”) licenses in the Upper 37 GHz (37.6-38.6 GHz), 39 GHz (38.6-40 GHz), and 47 GHz […]

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (“USDA”) Rural Utilities Service (“RUS”) announced that it will begin accepting applications for its rural broadband pilot program, the ReConnect Program, on April 23, 2019 through reconnect.usda.gov.  The ReConnect Program will award up to $600 million to help build broadband infrastructure throughout rural America.  The program will make 3 types of awards available, each with […]

Due April 1, 2019 All service providers and equipment manufacturers that are subject to Sections 255, 716 and 718 of the Communications Act must maintain records of their efforts to make their telecommunications services and equipment, advanced communications services and equipment, and Internet browsers built into mobile phones accessible to people with disabilities, as required […]

Telecommunications carriers, including Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) providers, must file annual Customer Proprietary Network Information (“CPNI”) compliance certifications by Friday, March 1, 2019 (for data pertaining to the previous calendar year).  Carriers must include a statement explaining how their operating procedures are in compliance with the CPNI rules and any actions taken against data […]

As a reminder, the final construction deadline and license expiration date for certain 700 MHz (Lower A Block, B Block, and C Block) licenses is June 13, 2019. By that date, licensees are required to submit a detailed construction demonstration and a separate renewal showing. For construction showings, a Lower 700 MHz A or B Block […]

(GN Docket No. 18-122; GN Docket No. 17-183; RM-11791; RM-11778) The Federal Communications Commission (“FCC” or the “Commission”) is currently considering clearing up to 500 megahertz of mid-band spectrum, currently used for satellite services, for flexible use, including wireless mobile broadband and point to multipoint fixed wireless services. Rural telecom groups have yet to weigh in […]